Skill: Recognizing when defense outnumbers the attack
and taking advantage of numbers. Containment and gap control on an attacker
using the 3 rules of defense (see Curriculum)

3 Rules of Defense

Make a wedge - Force the attacker to an outside lane

Get attacker on backhand side - The backhand side is weaker and it will
take 2 moves to get back on forehand for a shot

Physical contact between blue line and top of circles - Have to cause
shooter problems before he can set up

Purpose: Develop a team strategy to handle a single
attacker. Force the attacker away from a good shooting position. Force the
attacker off the puck. Timing to gain possession of the puck or to handle a beat
defenseman.

Directions: Players are set up 3 Low in corner. On the
signal of the Leader the Forward takes the puck up and over the Blue line and
attempts to head back and attack the goal. While the Forward skates to the blue
line the 2 Defense set up to defend the attacker. The strong side Defense is
responsible for the body of the attacker while the offside Defense closely
supports. The offside Defense takes the puck if the strong side Defense can move
the attacker off it. The offside Defense picks up the attacker if the strong
side Defense is getting beat.

Variations: This is a difficult drill requiring good
communication skills between the defense.
Once the kids get it they will use it. The difficult part will be in getting the
offside defenseman to engage in the 2 on 1 to be ready to pick up the puck or
pick up the attacker.